Vivaldi: The Four Seasons (Le quattro stagioni, Op. 8 Nos. 1-4)

As an exclusive Sony Classical artist, Joshua Bell has released a series of albums to critical and popular acclaim. Known both for his riveting artistry and his daring choice of repertoire and collaborators, Bell is no less innovative in the way he reinvigorates Vivaldi’s perennial favourite. Bell explains his take on Vivaldi’s classic: “You will never hear two versions of The Four Seasons that are alike, which is why I think there is always room for another view of the piece. My version is very personal.”Widely considered one of the premiere violinists of his generation, Bell is joined on this studio release by the celebrated musicians of the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, who toured the work with him prior to the recording sessions. This recording of The Four Seasons is coupled with another masterpiece of Baroque virtuosity, Giuseppe Tartini’s The Devil’s Trill Sonata.

‘It was the work’s nature as a visionary masterpiece that prompted us to contemplate “yet another” recording, since music of such magnificence still permits entirely new interpretations. . . . . Moreover, we consulted an often neglected manuscript source, the “Manchester manuscript”, which offers extremely intriguing variants, especially as regards articulation, shedding new light on certain passages.’ - Amandine Beyer

Amandine Beyer has joined forces with Olivier Fourés, a specialist in Vivaldi’s violin concertos and adviser to Giuliano Carmignola. Their encounter made it possible to dig deeper into the manuscripts and record a previously unknown concerto which Olivier Fourés has specially edited for the occasion, RV578a.